Rotary spin device



J. ZARN ROTARY SPIN DEVICE Oct. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1959 I INVENTOR. (/0627 Z152 BY Oct. 30, 1962 J. ZARN ROTARY SPIN DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1959 IN VEN TOR. JQSE ZflB/V' XTY'OAAFV Uite States 3,060,629 ROTARY SPIN DEVICE Jose Zarn, Apartado 1237, Panama, Panama Filed Dec. 21, 1959, Ser. No. 861,071 1 Claim. (CI. 46-63) This invention relates to rotary spinning devices and, more particularly, to a manually operated rotary assembly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a manually operated rotary sounding device which employs sets of harmonica reeds through which air is directed in response to rotation of the assembly about a central axis.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary device of the type described which may successfully employ any type of wind sounding mechanism, such as a whistle, siren, or reed assembly, and can be readily adapted for use with any one of such wind responsive units for producing a variety of amusement, warning, and signal sounds.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a manually operated rotary device made in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the use of the device as a sounding toy;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded plan view of certain parts of the assembly shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a variety of rotors which may be used with the basic support structure for providing a variety of different results; and

FIGURE 5 is an exploded end view of the elements of the assembly shown in FIGURE 2, more clearly illustrating the relationship between the various parts of the musical sounding instrument.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 3 thereof, a rotary device made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a main body member consisting of a pair of substantially identical circular plates 12 which are mounted in face to face relationship. Between the pair of plates 12 is a musical sounding assembly consisting of a pair of harmonica reed plates 14, each having independent reeds 16 which vibrate in response to the passage of air therethrough so as to produce a musical sound. A spacer 18 having a plurality of spaced apart rib 20 defining air channels 22, is placed between the reed plates 14 in order to provide individual ducts for each one of the reeds 16 so as to accommodate the flow of air therethrough. Each cover plate is also provided with circumferentially spaced apart positioning studs that cooperate with similarly shaped openings 17 in the spacer plate 18 and the openings 19 in each of the reed plates 14 to maintain the parts in proper assembled relationship.

Each main body plate 12 is provided with a central hub 24 having eyelets 25 through which the free ends of a loop 26 of flexible cable are threaded. The opposite ends of the looped cable 26 serve as handles, with the assembly slidably supported thereupon for rotation about a central longitudinal axis in response to the twisting of the loops, in a well known manner.

Each main body plate 12 is also provided with a louvered panel 28 that serves as an inlet for air which is directed through the ducts 22 of the spacer member 18 3,060,629 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 and through the respective reeds 16 of the reed plates 14. It will now be recognized that in response to spinning of the assembly about the central axis thereof, upon the twisting and untwisting of the flexible cable loop 26, air present in the ducts 22 is forced outwardly through the reeds 16 by centrifugal force, so that air is drawn inwardly through the louvcrs 28 to replace the air so expelled. Thus, as the device is rotated about its central axis, a pleasant and entertaining musical sound is produced by the reed plates 14.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 4 of the drawing which illustrates a slightly modified type of special purpose motion responsive rotor 30' which is in the form of a rigid plate 32 having a central hub 34 with eyelets 35 for receiving the flexible cable member 26 therethrough. This plate 32 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart siren type whistles 36 having internal vents 38 through which air is directed in response to rotation of the plate 32 about its central axis. This plate 32 may be used to replace the reed plates 14 and spacer 18 of the assembly shown in FIGURES 1 to 3, so as to produce a siren type of sound.

FIGURE 4 also illustrates another embodiment of a. special purpose motion responsive rotor 40 which is similarly provided with a rigid plate 42 having a central hub 44 with eyelets 45 for receiving the flexible cable 26 therethrough. In this embodiment, however, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart shrill whistles 46 with air outlets 48 are disposed adjacent to the periphery of the plate 42 so as to emit a shrill whistle sound in response to rotation thereof in place of the reed plates 14 and spacer 18.

The versatility of this device will now be more readily understood, as it may be readily used for amusement and musical purposes, depending upon the particular type of special purpose rotor applied thereto. If desired, the unit may be distributed in the form of a special purpose adapter set to enable each one of the special purpose rotors to be used as required.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claim appended hereto.

I claim:

A rotary device comprising a spacer disc having two sets of spaced ribs on each side, each set of spaced n'bs defining air passages open to the periphery of the disc, a pair of discs each adjacent to one side of the spacer disc and having reeds disposed along the air passages, 21 pair of cover plates each adjacent one of the reed discs and having spaced eyelets, and a flexible cable loop extending through the eyelets of each cover plate and being manipulated in unison for spinning the discs and creating a noise caused by the air flow entering the passages and acting on the reeds.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 249,922 Garrison Nov. 22, 1881 1,440,053 Brett Dec. 26, 1922 1,839,944 Barthels Jan. 5, 1932 1,929,696 Kashiwagi Oct. 10, 1933 2,065,823 Palombo et al Dec. 29, 1936 2,595,990 Steiner May 6, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 503,390 Canada June 1, 1954 

